Five years after stepping back from royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain among the most closely watched figures in the British royal orbit. Their 2025 activities have ranged from new business launches to humanitarian visits, while their distance from the working monarchy continues to shape public conversation.
As Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple reside in Montecito, California, with their two children. They run the Archewell Foundation and a growing portfolio of media and lifestyle projects. According to Britannica and EBSCO biographies, Harry is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, while Meghan, a former actress, became the first mixed-race member of the modern royal family when she married Harry in May 2018.
The couple’s decision to step away from full-time royal life in early 2020 set in motion a series of legal battles, media deals, and strained family relationships that continue to make headlines. Below is a fact-based look at their journey, current activities, and the questions that still surround them.
Why Did Harry and Meghan Leave the Royal Family?
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, are former senior royals now living in California.
Step down as working royals in 2020, move to North America, and launch independent philanthropic and commercial ventures.
Two children: Archie (born 2019) and Lilibet (born 2021).
Charitable work via Archewell Foundation, media projects with Netflix and Spotify, and Harry’s Invictus Games involvement.
- Harry and Meghan have built a multi-platform media and philanthropic empire since leaving the royal family.
- Their security status in the UK remains a contentious issue, with ongoing legal battles.
- The couple’s relationship with the rest of the royal family, especially Prince William, is strained and publicly documented.
- Meghan has returned to a more traditional humanitarian role, focusing on women’s empowerment and mental health.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full names | Prince Henry Charles Albert David (Harry); Rachel Meghan Markle |
| Titles | Duke and Duchess of Sussex; also Earl and Countess of Dumbarton (in UK) |
| Residence | Montecito, California, USA |
| Marriage date | May 19, 2018 |
| Children | Archie Harrison (born May 6, 2019); Lilibet Diana (born June 4, 2021) |
| Key foundation | Archewell Foundation (launched 2020) |
| Notable media deals | Multi-year partnerships with Netflix (Archewell Productions) and Spotify (Archewell Audio) |
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would “step back” as senior royals. By March 31, 2020, they were no longer working members of the Royal Family, according to Britannica. The couple stated their wish to become financially independent while continuing to serve the Queen and their patronages. The arrangement included no longer using their HRH titles publicly, though they retain them formally. Harry remains fifth in line to the throne as of 2025.
Security arrangements became a flashpoint. After losing the right to automatic UK police protection, Harry filed a legal challenge to privately fund that security. The case remains unresolved, and the exact level of protection he receives is not fully public.
What Are Harry and Meghan Doing Now?
Meghan’s media and business ventures
Meghan appeared in the Netflix series With Love, Meghan in 2025. According to EBSCO’s biography, the couple’s Netflix contract expired in 2025 and was not renewed, leaving the series without a second season. In the same year, Meghan launched her lifestyle brand As Ever. People magazine reported in May 2025 that she updated her Instagram profile photo after returning to the platform, and the As Ever website featured a photo of Meghan and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan’s As Ever brand debuted in 2025 as a direct-to-consumer lifestyle line. The website launched with an image of mother and daughter, signaling a personal, family-oriented marketing approach.
Harry’s work with Invictus Games and mental health
Harry continues to prioritise veteran and mental health causes. In April 2025, he visited the Superhumans Center in Lviv, Ukraine, and returned in September 2025 for meetings and fundraising tied to veterans’ rehabilitation, according to Wikipedia. In November 2025, his office announced plans for a Remembrance Day trip to Toronto. Charitable work with the Invictus Games Foundation, Sentebale, and WellChild remains central to his public role.
Their life in Montecito, California
The family lives in a gated estate in Montecito, near Santa Barbara. Their children attend local schools. The couple keeps a relatively private home life while maintaining a visible public profile through social media and occasional event appearances.
How Many Children Do Harry and Meghan Have?
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Born on May 6, 2019, at Portland Hospital in London. Archie is seventh in line to the throne at birth, later moving to sixth, then fifth after the accession of King Charles III. He does not use a royal title by his parents’ choice.
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
Born on June 4, 2021, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California. Her middle names honour Queen Elizabeth II (family nickname Lilibet) and Diana, Princess of Wales. She was christened in March 2023.
Their children’s titles and upbringing
According to Britannica, both children hold the courtesy titles of prince and princess following their grandfather’s accession, though the couple has not publicly used those titles. The children are being raised in California, away from the formal royal court.
Will Harry and Meghan Return to the UK?
Recent visits and legal challenges
The couple returned to the UK several times after stepping down: for the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and the Invictus Games 10th anniversary service in 2024. Each visit attracted intense media scrutiny, and security concerns were repeatedly raised. The ongoing legal case over police protection affects the ease of future visits.
The state of family relationships
Relationships with the royal family remain strained. Harry has spoken openly about his fractured bond with his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles III. No official statements from either side suggest a reconciliation is in progress. Vanity Fair noted in 2025 that the couple’s business push has had uneven moments, but they remain committed to their independent path.
No credible source has confirmed any plans for a permanent return. Harry’s spokesperson has labelled a recent unauthorised biography a “deranged conspiracy,” per CTV News, underscoring the intensity of speculation.
Speculation about a permanent return
Media reports occasionally suggest the couple might return to the UK in a part-time capacity, but no concrete plans have ever been announced. The couple has invested significantly in their US life, including their Montecito home and California-based businesses.
The couple’s official website, sussex.com, lists US-based initiatives. Harry’s memoir Spare (2023) detailed his perspective on the rift. No public statements from the Palace indicate a change in the current arrangement.
A Timeline of Key Events Since Their Relationship Began
- – Harry and Meghan’s relationship is confirmed by the press.
- – Their engagement is announced.
- – Wedding at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
- – Birth of Archie Harrison; Sussex Royal brand launched.
- – Step back as senior royals, move to Canada then US; Sussex Royal website archived.
- – Oprah Winfrey interview; birth of Lilibet Diana.
- – Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral; security concerns noted.
- – Harry publishes memoir Spare; Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan released; Invictus Games in Düsseldorf.
- – Legal battles over police protection continue; children begin school in the US.
- – Meghan launches As Ever; Harry makes two trips to Ukraine for veteran rehabilitation; Netflix contract expires.
- – Harry and Meghan visit Jordan with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in February.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain
| Topic | Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Royal exit reasons | Confirmed by couple’s statements, palace announcements, and Oprah interview. | – |
| Children’s names and birthplaces | Public records and official birth registrations. | – |
| Current residence | Publicly known and reported in multiple credible sources. | – |
| Security arrangements in UK | Ongoing legal dispute; outcome of court cases pending. | Exact level of protection not fully public. |
| Reconciliation with royal family | – | Relationships are private; no official statements on future dynamics. |
| Net worth specifics | – | Estimates vary widely; no official disclosure. |
Understanding the Broader Context of Their Story
Media coverage has often framed Harry and Meghan’s departure as “Megxit,” a term the couple has not endorsed. Their transition from royals to independent public figures has triggered debates about financial privilege, racial bias in the press, and the limits of royal duty. Harry’s mental health advocacy, particularly through his documentary series and memoir, has highlighted the pressure of life inside the institution. At the same time, the couple’s continued high profile — via social media, product launches, and public appearances — ensures they remain a central part of the royal narrative despite no longer being working members.
Meghan’s return to lifestyle branding and philanthropy, including her work with the Archewell Foundation, mirrors a pre-royal career focused on humanitarian and creative projects. Harry’s Invictus Games involvement ties directly to his military service, a part of his identity that predates his marriage. Both continue to shape their public roles on their own terms, a move that generates both admiration and criticism.
Key Sources and Official Statements on Harry and Meghan
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.”
— Official statement from Harry and Meghan, January 2020
“There were so many layers that led to us stepping down.”
— Meghan, Oprah Winfrey interview, March 2021
For ongoing updates, the couple’s official office website sussex.com provides curated news, while their philanthropic foundation is detailed at archewell.com. Broader context can be found on the BBC’s Prince Harry topic page and the official royal family website.
What Lies Ahead for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?
Harry and Meghan’s future path appears to involve continued work through the Archewell Foundation, further selective media projects, and Harry’s ongoing ties to the Invictus Games (the next edition is set for Vancouver/Whistler in 2025). The outcome of the UK security lawsuit will affect the family’s ability to visit Britain. The couple has not indicated any desire to return to royal duties, and their lives in California are firmly established. For readers interested in another senior royal’s story, see the article on Prince Andrew – Biography, Family and Latest News. And for a connection to Princess Diana’s portrayal on screen, the profile of Elizabeth Debicki – Height, Roles and The Crown offers relevant context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harry and Meghan
What is Meghan Markle’s real name?
Her birth name is Rachel Meghan Markle.
What is Harry’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but combined with Meghan, their net worth is often reported between $10 million and $60 million, largely from inheritance, media deals, and past royal funding.
How did Harry and Meghan meet?
They were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend in July 2016.
Is Harry still in line to the throne?
Yes, he is fifth in line as of 2025, after his father King Charles III, and brother Prince William and his children.
What happened with Harry and Meghan’s security?
They lost the right to automatic UK police protection after stepping down; they have been challenging this in court, seeking to fund their own security privately but facing legal hurdles.
What charities do Harry and Meghan support?
Through Archewell Foundation, they focus on community service, mental health, gender equality, and media literacy. Harry also supports Sentebale, Invictus Games Foundation, and WellChild.
Why did Harry and Meghan give up HRH titles?
As part of the agreement to step back as senior royals, they agreed not to use their HRH styles while retaining them formally. They stated they no longer needed the titles publicly.
James Morgan is Senior Reporter at readingwire.co.uk, covering breaking UK and world news, politics and current affairs.